Markets close volatile trade in green

The Indian markets closed the first session of an eventful week on a positive note. The Sensex rose 84 points and the Nifty up 26 points
Headlines for the day
January 2012 IIP at 6.8% vs 1.8% in December 2011
February car sales up 13%
Surprise CRR cut positive for banks
Khazanah sells Yes Bank stake for $105 mn



Indian indices
On the first day of the week, the Indian markets opened strong and later turned volatile after the release of January 2012 IIP data, which came in at 6.8% as compared to 1.8% seen in December 2011. Stronger-than-expected industrial output reduced hopes for a rate cut later this week.
Selling in technology and pharma stocks put pressure on the markets. However, buying in capital goods, consumer durables, realty, oil & gas, banking and metal shares helped markets. The Sensex rose 84 points to close at 17588 and the Nifty surged 26 points to settle at 5360.
Market sentiment
The market breadth stood in favour of advances. Of the 2966 stocks traded on the BSE, 1599 (53.91%) rose, 1246 (42.01%) fell and 121 (4.08%) remained unchanged.
Viewing volumes
An integrated infrastructure development company - Lanco Infratech was traded the most, with over 0.71 crore shares changing hands on the BSE. Following that a real estate development company - HDIL (0.39 crore shares), an ADAG Group firm - Reliance Power (0.37 crore shares), Wind turbine major - Suzlon Energy (0.33 crore shares) and a major Indian telecommunication company - Reliance Communications (0.29 crore shares).
Sectoral & stock screening
Ten sectoral indices stood higher out of 13. Top most gainers are BSE CG up by 2.56%, BSE CD up by 1.90% and BSE Realty up by 1.33%. Only three losers - BSE IT down by 1.06%, BSE TECk down by 0.75% and BSE HC down by 0.15%.
Among 'A' group stocks, top three gainers — United Breweries gained by 18.34%, Voltas surged by 9.37% and Wockhardt jumped 7.43%. Top three losers Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone shed by 3.99%, Financial Technologies slipped by 3.54% and Redington (India) fell by 3.10%.
Global indices
The European stocks turned slightly positive on Monday (March 12, 2012), as investors shrugged off grim Italian GDP data and the triggering of Greek credit default swaps to chase euro zone banking stocks higher.
The Asian stock markets ended mostly lower on Monday as a surprisingly large Chinese trade deficit stoked some concerns about demand for the country's exports.
The US stock index futures pointed to a lower open for equities on Wall Street on Monday.
Market Outlook: US Treasury Budget will be in focus on Monday.